Process and apparatus for saturating fibrous materials



PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SATURATING FIBROUS MATERIALS Filed Feb. 1921 IL "II Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,598,376 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. HOWARD, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BAY-- BESTOS COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT,

OUT.

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTI- PROGESS AND APPARATUS FOR SATURATIN G FIBROUS MATERIALS.

Application filed February 25, 1921. Serial No. 447,840.

This invention relates to a process and up paratus for saturating fibrous materials and refers more particularly to the. saturation of fibers woven or unwoven, the latter being saturated in a homogeneous mass, this process being particularly adapted to the making of brake bands, gaskets, friction facings, fiber containers, &c., and is particularly adapted to fibers saturated with a compound which oxidizes in contact with air.

Among the salient objects of the invention is to provide a process which will materially lessen the time necessary to cure the fibrous saturation and one which obviates the necessity of a separate baking operation; to provide a proces which is simple in operation and one which economizes in the expense entailed and at the same time improves the product.

The drawing is a side elevation of the apparat'us.

Referring to the drawings-4 designates the steam jacketed saturating kettle, which is connected to a condenser 2, by means of a vapor outlet pipe 3. A double-phase pump 4 so arranged as to provide a pressure or a vacuum is connected to the saturating kettle through the pipe 5 and to the condenser by the pipe 6. A storage tank 7 and a mixing tank 8 are interconnected and the former connected to the pump through a line 9.

In operating the process, the kettle is filled with stock which is to be saturated and the hinged top closed which makes an airtight fit. All valves are closed and the tank 8 is filled with saturating compound. In starting the process, the valves 9, 10 and 11 are open and the pumps started, thus drawing a vacuum on the kettle through the outlet vapor line. This vacuum is held for a short period while steam is passed through the jacket of thekettle 1 introduced through the steam line 12 communicating with the jacket of the kettle. A jacket drain or draw-oil line 13 is supplied at the bottom of the kettle. lVhen the stock in the kettle is sufficiently dry, the valves 14 and 15 are opened and the saturating compound allowed to fill the kettle. When filled to a proper level completely covering the stock, the valve 15 and the valves 9 and 11 are closed. At this juncture of the operation the control valves 16 and 17 in the lines 18 and 5 respectively are opened and a pressure is maintained through the line 5 on the kettle 1. The stock is thus saturated with the liquid supply from the storage tank under pressure. After thus being subjected to saturation for a predetermined period, the saturated compound is forced back into the storage tank by opening the valve 15 and closing the valves 14 and 16. The valves 11 and 20 are opened in drawing off the saturation liquid and a suction is imposed upon the mixing tank 8 which returns the saturating liquid thereto. lVhen the fluid has been removed from the kettle, the valves 15 and 17 are closed and valves 9 and 10 opened. At the same time the valves 20 and 16 are closed. The valve 11 is now closed and a valve 21 in the line 22 is opened thus allowing the circulation of the air to pass through the kettle 1 by means of the vapor line 22. A superheater 23 is attached to the line 22 so as to heat the air which passes into the kettle through the perforated pipes 24. The air can be regulated as to volume by operation of the valve 21 and all the condensate may be drawn off from the condenser '2. By the use of this air the saturating material is more quickly oxidized and this oxidation can be further aided by the use of an oxidizing agent such as'lead in its various forms or manganese dioxide and the like.

The oxidizing agent such as the lead or the like may be freely circulated with the heated air current while in an exceedingly fine state of subdivision and in this way brought into contact with the material in the vessel 1.

The air circulation is not confined to that part of the operation when the saturating kettle is empty but there are many saturating compounds whose oxidation would be promoted by the circulation of air while the kettle is-filled with the saturant.

' I claim as my invention v 1. A continuous processv for saturating substantially non-flexible fibrous substance, consisting in drying the fibers in a container and drawing oil' the evaporated moisture, in then adding a saturating fluid to the container, in removing the saturating fluid after saturation of the fibrous substance and then subjecting the fibrous substance 'while still in the container to the action of a heated circulating oxidizing agent.

2. A continuous process for saturating substantially non-flexible fibrous substance, consisting in drying the fibers in a container and drawing olf the evaporated moisture, in then introducing a saturating fluid to the container, and maintaining a pressure thereon during saturation, of the fiber substance and in removing the saturating fluid and subjecting the fibrous substance while still in the container to the action of a heated circulating oxidizing agent, after the removal of the excess saturating fluid, to rause the oxidation of the saturaut remaining therein.

3. In an appa nuts for saturating fibrous substances, the combination with a saturating retort for treating said substances, of a means for drying the fibrous substances, means connected to the retort whereby the moisture may be relieved there-from, means.

for introducing and withdrawing a satu rating fluid and maintaining it under pressure during saturation, and pressure means for introducing an oxidizing agent subsequent to saturation.

4. A process of saturating substantially non-flexible fibrous substances, consisting in placing the substances in a container, in drying the fibers therein by withdrawing the moisture therefrom, in then saturating the fibers with a compound admitted to the container, in maintaining the container under a pressure during the saturation of the fibers therein, in thereafter withdrawing the saturating liquid and releasing the pres sure, and in finally eifecting a cyclic circulation of a heated oxidizing agent through said container.

5. A continuous process of saturating fibrous substances, consisting in placing said substances in a closed container, in withdrawing moisture therefrom by creating a vacuum in the container, in then breaking said vacuum and admitting a saturating fluid to the container to saturate the fibers therein, in removing the saturating fluid from said container, and in finally circulating an oxidizing current of heated air through said container.

(5. A continuous process for saturating substantially non-flexible tilu'ous'substance, consisting in drying the fibers in a container, withdrawing the evaporated moisturc, in then introducing a saturating tluid to the container, then introducing an oxidizing agent to the container causing partial oxidation during saturation, maintaining av pressure thereon during saturation of the fibrous substance. removing the saturating fluid and subjecting the fibrous substance to the action of a heated circulating oxidizing agent after the removal of the excess saturating fluid, to cause the oxidation of the saturant remaining therein.

\VILLIAM R. HOVARD. 

